I just arrived back home this week from another amazingly awesome Medicine’s from the Earth conference in Black Mountain, NC and I’m still feeling the buzz of energy I always seem to absorb while I’m there. This was my fourth year attending this magical conference, and I’m always so jazzed by the time I leave I want to learn more about every. single. thing. It often feels like there’s an endless stream of new things to learn about herbal medicine and therapeutic nutrition – I love that about this field. No matter how much I think I know, I’m blown away by how much more there is to learn and share. One of my favorite things about herbal medicine is learning from so many different teachers with different backgrounds… perspectives and experiences with herbs vary so much and it further reinforces that there is no one right way to do anything, but a collective wisdom that is shared from practitioner to person that is equally effective even with no single protocol. The flexibility and creativity of herbs and nutrition is endless – and I love that.
Since returning home, the past week has been a busy one indeed, but what was most jarring was how much the garden has exploded with beets, chard, cucumbers, basil and squashes and it’s only just getting started. June is the month of beginning summer abundance from our garden. Also, we finally starting hitting some 90 degree afternoons here in Richmond, VA…which I can’t way I mind. I kind of like the oppressive heat of summer. But, when in need of a cool down – thank goodness for an excessive supply of cucumbers. These little viney green dudes are my favorite thing to infuse in chilled water with some extra fresh fruits & herbs for a delicious herby/fruity infused “tea” that I sip on all day for weeks. It especially hits the spot when the 99% humidity rolls in around mid July…
These fruit & herb infused teas can work with almost any fruits you have on hand throughout the seasons (including peaches, pineapple, pears, apples, grapes, raspberries, blackberries, limes, hibiscus, kiwis etc). Just add a bunch and see how you like it! The cucumbers really give it a cooling undertone, and adding in fresh or dried herbs like lavender and orange peel is another delicious addition (I use dried herbs from Mountain Rose Herbs and absolutely love them). Experiment with each season and Sip Consciously…
